Ralph Potts reviews the sixth and final season of this compelling, well-written and popular English serial set in early 1900’s England that follows the familial drama surrounding an aristocratic family that resides/owns a palatial estate known as Downton Abbey.
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
87
Details:
Studio and Year: PBS – 2015
MPAA Rating: NR
Feature running time: 540 minutes
Genre: TV Drama
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 1.78:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo
Subtitles: English SDH
Starring: > Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Penelope Wilton, Joanne Froggatt, Maggie Smith, Rob James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Jeremy Swift, Lesley Nichol, Kevin Doyle, Michelle Dockery, Michael Fox, Matthew Goode, Samantha Bond
Directed by: Minkie Spiro, Philip John, Michael Engler, David Evans
Written by: Julian Fellows
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: January 26, 2016
“Thanks for the Memories”
My Take:
Downton Abbey opened Season 1 with a crisis sparked by the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Having weathered the demise of a string of heirs, the horrors of World War I, the Spanish flu, false convictions and romantic betrayals, not to mention the compromising death of a Turkish diplomat in the throes of passion. Season 6 opens in 1925 with a series of crises reflecting the momentous changes that are transforming society. Women’s rights have given Lady Mary and Lady Edith new positions of responsibility: Mary runs the estate, and Edith manages the magazine she inherited from Michael Gregson. Meanwhile, Tom Branson has left for Boston, and newlyweds Lady Rose and Atticus Aldridge are trying their luck in Jazz Age New York. Anna Bates faces a murder charge, though many still suspect her husband. And for the rest of the servants, big doubts hang over their jobs. Will great houses and the fortunes that support them soon be gone?
Viewers can expect to follow plot threads left dangling from last season, including Carson and Mrs. Hughes engagement, the crisis for Anna and John Bates, Lady Mary’s running of the estate, Lady Edith’s secret, Baxter’s past, the future of the running of the hospital, Isobel and Lord Merton, Violet’s one-line zingers, the changing world and much, much more.
This is now my fourth season as a devoted fan of Downton Abbey. Prior to season three I hadn’t watched the series but heard nothing but positives things from those that had (I have since seen seasons one and two). I initially had some reservations based solely on the subject matter and genre as it just sounded like it would be a slow melodrama set in a location/period specific setting that might be difficult to connect with. After watching season three my wife and I were instantly hooked and thoroughly enjoy the show. After the heartwarming events that ended season five we eagerly awaited season six and were surprised when we heard it would be the show’s last. Creator/writer Julian Fellowes made the decision to end the show as he felt it had reached its creative peak. I suppose I can understand that. We began watching this month on PBS and as luck would have it the season six Blu-ray arrived between the airing of episodes two and three which allowed us to plow through the remaining seven episodes.
Writer/creator Julian Fellowes paints a vivid picture of the snobbery, traditional devotion, elitist ways and compromising interpersonal relationships that thematically underscore the show. The plethora of characters aren’t all complex but are superbly drawn with a distinctive aesthetic that ebbs and flows with the melodramatic proceedings. This allows them to be likeable at times unlikable at others but always definably pertinent to the show’s shifting axis. There is a bit of a soap opera feel however it never descends to that level of ostentatious envelope pushing. Instead it humanizes them all, exposing their strengths, weaknesses but above all the implicitness found in their devotion to their way of life, one another and their genuine and shared struggle to co-exist amidst the ever changing world around them.
Watching this sixth and final season, as with the prior five, we found ourselves completely engrossed in this well written serial that spans 12 years of gripping drama centered on a great English estate on the cusp of a vanishing way of life. Nearly six years ago, America fell in love with the Granthams of Downton and their family of servants, and has followed them through sweeping change, scandals, love, ambition, heartbreak, and hope ever since. Downton Abbey delivers wit, warmth, passion and a phenomenon that is, at its heart, utterly human.
I will forego any details about this season’s events as I feel that they are best left to be experienced by those that revel in the show’s effective drama/melodrama, superb interplay and endearing characters. I watched every minute with my wife and we found ourselves typically engrossed as the show’s elements played out to a gratifying conclusion that never missed a beat. Since Downton Abbey’s first season, its audience has grown at a phenomenal rate, more than doubling by Season 5, which reached 25.5 million viewers. The show is consistently one of the most-watched dramas on American television, often beating all competitors in its Sunday night time slot. Making their bittersweet farewell are members of the beloved cast, including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Kevin Doyle, Samantha Bond, David Robb, Raquel Cassidy and Michael Fox.
I salute Julian Fellowes, his production staff and the cast. I can’t recall the last time I watched a television serial that won me over so completely. Downton Abbey ends on a high note and will be missed by its legions of fans.
Downton Abbey Season 6 comes to Blu-ray in this three disc edition with the series 8 episodes and season finale spread over three BD-50 dual layered discs with the bonus content located on Disc 3. This final season of Downton Abbey is currently airing on PBS here in the U.S. so check your local listings. This set will be available on January 26th for those that don’t want to wait to see what happens.
Parental Guide:
The series contains thematic material that would be inappropriate for young viewers.
AUDIO/VIDEO – By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100/EXCELLENT = 83-91/GOOD = 74-82/AVERAGE = 65-73/BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 80
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Dynamics:
Low frequency effects:
Surround Sound presentation:
Clarity/Detail:
Dialogue Reproduction:
Low frequency extension * (non-rated element): NA
DSU Rating * (non-rated element): NA
Video: 94
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Resolution/Clarity:
Black Level/Shadow Detail:
Color Reproduction:
Fleshtones:
Compression:
Downton Abbey Season 6 comes to Blu-ray Disc from PBS featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 34 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo sound that has an average bitrate of 1.7 Mbps.
This is a reference quality high definition transfer that looks terrific. Images are crisp with subtle refinement, resolute sharpness and exquisite dimensional perspective. Contrast is well balanced and dynamic which energizes colors and empowers whites/grays. Blacks are deep and noise free while lacking refining gradational emphasis that occasionally borders on crush. I wouldn’t describe the effects as deleterious but it’s worth mentioning. Detail in uneven light and darkened environments reveals discerning shapes and structure in backgrounds/objects. Colors are appreciably delineated with natural rendering and punchy primaries that stand out among those within the varied range used. Fleshtones are natural with subtle description and where appropriate warm complexional highlights. I found this to be a pristine high definition video presentation from PBS that easily bests the broadcast version.
The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio stereo sound is quite good. Dynamics are robust and defining without being strident or edgy. Dialogue is rendered with appreciable tonal expression and excellent room penetration through the center channel speaker. The front soundstage is diffused with notable separation and articulated detail. The series is dialogue driven and as such doesn’t necessarily require use of the surround platform although a broader mix would have been acceptable. Regardless I never felt this presentation was lacking in any way and sounded excellent.
Bonus Features:
(HD) Farewell to Highclere – 6 minute featurette
(HD) The Cars of Downton – 11 minute featurette
(HD) Changing Times at Downton – 14 minute featurette
(HD) Visit Britain – Promo
Final Thoughts:
Downton Abbey is a compelling and rewarding English TV series that has kept fans entertaining for the last five seasons. This sixth and final season continues in that tradition brings the series to a heart stirring and wholly gratifying conclusion. Season 6 comes to Blu-ray in this three Disc release from PBS Home Entertainment featuring sparkling reference quality high definition video, crystal clear lossless sound and a light but worthwhile supplemental package that fans will appreciate. My wife and I have thoroughly the show and will miss it. For fans that like to ownDownton Abbey on home video this Blu-ray release comes highly recommended. Enjoy!
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Ralph Potts
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JVC DLA-RS500 3D/4K Ready High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal)
Stewart Filmscreen – Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16×9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV8802A 13.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies – 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103D Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (With Darbee video processing)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton “Ergo” and In-Ceiling series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SVS PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
SVS PC12-NSD
Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) – Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components – CP-CP102 cooling package
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